Commentary: Many people of voting age know a famous quotation: My country, right or wrong. This is an expression of utmost loyalty to the nation state, however one may interpret the manifestation of that quality.
Whether one agrees with this particular sentiment or not, this quotation demonstrates a fervor and uncompromising loyalty that some pledge to the nation state. In this view, the rightness or wrongness of what a nation state does or stands for is always subservient to and of lesser importance than pledging and maintaining one’s allegiance to that nation state.
There are many people who still adhere to this view. However, a great many others today have a loyalty and commitment to something else, namely, a political party or agenda or narrative. As one perspective proclaims the rightness or wrongness of an act always takes a back seat to state loyalty, in the other view the well-being of the entire nation itself can take a back seat to further the aims and agendas of one’s own personal preference of political party or special interest or framing of an issue.
Many Americans, including most of the mass corporate media, have openly and repeatedly expressed hopes that the current sitting President of the United States fails in office. This is akin to being on a vessel in open sea. For people like this, because their preference of sea captain failed to gain that position (or because they dislike the captain personally) they’re now rooting for the ship to run aground if not sink just to spite the winning side. This is of course madness, but not for those so caught up in political fever and fanaticism that this blocks out rationality and sanity.
American presidents used to get a so-called Honeymoon Period when optimism and cooperation ruled for a time after an election victory. Apparently, that has been rendered void and obsolete. Now, for many, if your choice for the Office of President loses, you do everything in your power for the next four years to work against him or her to set up the next election cycle and a change in that office you so crave. The success or failure of the nation as a whole is of no factor. In fact, if the nation ends up succeeding and progressing on various fronts, that is the exact opposite of what you are are hoping for. Failure is victory. Stumbling is progress. The nation not doing well is a good thing. Of course, none of that makes any sense.
Today’s social and political playbook does not place much stock in compassion, cooperation, and civility. Not much political capital to be gain from those. But foster insensitivity, division, and brawling behavior? Now you’re got something to build on - or so those folks think.
There has never been a president that one will agree with on every single issue and on every point of personal conduct. Believe it or not, these individuals are human beings with personal problems and failings. They make mistakes. They have areas needing improvement. But the understanding was that since they steer the great ship we all are passengers on, we need to support and show a respect that the office they occupy deserves. For the losing side, is this not how they would want their candidate treated had they won? Would they want the losing side to demonize and work against their candidate for the next four years? Would they want their candidate to be called names and discredited at every opportunity? Would they want perky morning news show hosts and late evening jokesters acting like grade school kids on the playground picking on someone with name calling and bullying behavior? No, they wouldn’t want that for their chosen hero. But that doesn’t seem to enter into their thinking.
The answer is also not blind loyalty to whomever is in office. These leaders must be fully accountable to the citizens and taxpayers of the nation at all times. The power and prestige of this office demands a higher level of dedication and service than to almost any other position on earth. Everyone needs to monitor the conduct and choices made by their national leadership. This includes party loyalists and apologists who must not ignore or make excuses for a leader not acting in accordance with the best and highest execution of their duties.
My country, right or wrong? My political party or cause, right or wrong? My president, right or wrong? My narrative, right or wrong? How about, we’re all shoulder-to-shoulder on this same big ship in the middle of dangerous waters and we’ll all sink or swim together. Like this idea or not, this is our unavoidable truth. We can either work to make this ride the smoothest and best it can be, or we can take on water and watch the tide continue to rise around us. We can make the best of things with the captain we have, or we can work toward swimming with the fishes.
The choice is ours. Do we really want to pledge our greatest loyalty to a group or narrative? If one must, how about trying this one: Our highest and wisest loyalty should always be to ourselves and a safe voyage.